Chapter 1 Help Me!
Aria's POV
The silver moonlight cast eerie shadows across the narrow cobblestone alley as I hurried through the district, clutching my medical bag tightly against my chest.
My eyes darted nervously from side to side, a primal warning flared within me that something was wrong.
The air was thick with hostility and the metallic scent of blood, making my inner wolf stir restlessly within me.
'Get home. Just get home safely.'
As an Omega, I'd always been more sensitive to danger than most wolves. It was both a blessing and a curse—useful for avoiding trouble, but exhausting when every shadow seemed to harbor a threat.
Tonight felt starkly different. The air itself seemed to pulse with imminent violence, charged with a raw, electric tension.
Even the familiar weight of my silver dagger, tucked inside the bag, offered scant comfort against the looming threat.
It's a risk for me too—if I'm not careful, one wrong move could let the blade's edge sear my own skin.
But in a world like this, it's the only thing that levels the playing field against Alphas who are way stronger than I am.
Sometimes you need something that can stop the truly desperate ones.
My thoughts drift back to childhood, to the days before the Morgan wolf pack had fallen into ruin.
Back then, the nights never felt lonely; I never walked alone in the dark.
My father was always by my side, his presence a steadfast fortress, offering endless security.
I can still vividly recall a frigid winter night, the moonlight spilling over the snow like frost, as I huddled inside his heavy coat, shivering.
He looked down at me, his voice deep and warm. "Hey, little one, you cold? Don't worry, I'm right here. No matter what happens, I won't let anyone hurt you."
I gazed up into his resolute eyes, giggling, my voice bright and carefree. "I'm not scared! With you here, even the big bad wolf wouldn't dare come near! Can we chase it away together?"
A faint smile curled at the corner of his mouth as he gently patted my head.
In those days, I truly believed that as long as he was with me, no darkness in the world could ever touch me.
But those days have faded like moonlight at dawn, lost forever. I can't help but choke up, overwhelmed by sadness, yet I force myself to hold back the tears because now isn't the time for grief.
Now, I've learned to rely on my wits and instincts to survive in this brutal world. Here, a lone Omega is seen as easy prey, ready to be torn apart at any moment.
Safety has become an unattainable dream, and all I can do is clutch my silver dagger tightly, warily watching every shadow.
The distant sound of snarling and crashing made me freeze mid-step. Angry voices echoed off the stone walls. "Damn it, tonight's the night you die!"
My heart hammered against my ribs as I instinctively pulled my moonlight-and-jasmine scent inward, trying to make myself invisible.
It was a skill I'd learned early—how to suppress my natural pheromones to avoid unwanted attention. My hand slipped into my bag, fingers closing around the familiar leather-wrapped hilt.
The silver dagger felt cold through the protective grip as I considered my options.
This alley was the only quick route to my small apartment, but taking the long way meant an extra hour walking through even more dangerous territory.
'Moon God help me,' I thought, steeling myself to continue forward.
Just as I reached the deepest part of the alley, rapid footsteps and low howls erupted from around the corner.
Suddenly, a tall figure stumbled into view, and I was hit by a wave of Alpha pheromones so intense it nearly knocked me to my knees—the scent of cold fir and leather, now tainted with the copper smell of fresh blood.
The man was magnificent and terrifying all at once. Tall and lean with tousled dark brown hair, his shirt hung in tatters, revealing a muscled chest and arms marked with deep claw wounds.
Blood dripped steadily onto the cobblestones, dark and ominous in the pale silver light.
Terror flooded my system as my Omega instincts cowered under the crushing Alpha presence. But when the mysterious man locked eyes with me, his gaze held no malice, only raw desperation and a flicker of disbelief.
It was a look that didn't threaten, but pleaded. Against all logic, I felt the crushing weight on my soul lighten, my anxiety and fear somehow lessened.
At the same time, my breath hitched in my throat.
Time slowed as he stumbled toward me, his hand reaching out to grasp my arm. The moment our skin touched, an electric shock raced through my entire body.
My inner wolf didn't cower in fear—instead, it sang with an emotion I'd never experienced before. A resonance so deep and primal that it shook me to my core.
"Help me," his voice was rough, weakened by blood loss but carrying that unmistakable Alpha authority that brooked no argument. "I won't hurt you, I swear it."
I tried desperately to pull away, my voice coming out in a terrified stutter, "Please, I didn't see anything! Just let me go!"
But he didn't release me. Blood continued to drip from his wounds as he fixed me with those unwavering blue eyes, his voice growing weaker but somehow more compelling. "Trust me... or neither of us will survive the night."
That's when I noticed how severe his injuries really were. Even with an Alpha's enhanced healing, he would bleed out without immediate medical attention.
His powerful presence was already beginning to fade as shock set in.
"Please..." His voice dropped to barely a whisper, but his gaze never wavered. "My wolf is telling me... you can be trusted."
As my fingers brushed against his fevered forehead, my natural healing pheromones began to flow, and I watched his face relax slightly as the pain eased.
What are you doing, Aria? My inner voice screamed. Save him or run? If you don't help him, you might not survive either. But why is my wolf pushing me to save him? What is this strange resonance I've never felt before?
Finally, I made my decision, though it felt like madness. "Moon God forgive me, I must be insane."
I carefully helped him to his feet, mindful of his wounds. "My place isn't far from here. I can treat your injuries. But if you try to hurt me..."
The man's voice was weak but solemn as he replied, "I would never hurt you. I swear it."
But before we could take more than a few steps, the sound of approaching footsteps sent a chill of pure dread down my spine.
"This way!" I whispered urgently, spotting a pile of cardboard boxes behind a nearby apartment building.
I quickly guided him into the makeshift shelter, both of us crouching low. I reached into my medical bag, pulling out a small pouch of pungent herbs I always carried—designed to neutralize strong scents during medical procedures.
I crushed them between my fingers, quickly smearing the pungent paste onto the damp cobblestones around us and dabbing it on the edges of his tattered shirt.
The sharp, almost caustic medicinal aroma mingled with the metallic tang of blood, creating a confusing blend that would make it difficult for anyone to pinpoint exactly what they were tracking.
Heavy footsteps grew closer, accompanied by gruff muttering, "Wasn't he hurt pretty bad? Where the hell did he go?" The voice was rough, filled with frustration.
Cold sweat beaded on my forehead as I pressed closer to the wounded man, trying to make us both as small as possible.
He was leaning heavily against my shoulder now, and I could feel each shallow breath against my neck—warm, tickling, sending strange shivers down my spine that had nothing to do with fear.
'Focus, Aria. Focus.'
But it was impossible to ignore the way his body felt against mine, solid and warm despite his injuries. Every exhale against my skin made me feel dizzy, my wolf stirring with emotions I couldn't name.
"Damn it!" The angry voice roared from just outside our hiding spot. "You're dead meat, you hear me? Dead!"
I held my breath, not daring to move even as the stranger's breathing grew heavier against my shoulder.
Minutes stretched like hours until finally, the footsteps retreated and angry curses faded into the distance. Only when the silence stretched, absolute and unbroken, did I finally dare to move.
"They're gone," I whispered, my voice shaking. Carefully, I helped him out from behind the boxes, my legs trembling as we both stood. "Come on, let's go to my place now."
He nodded weakly, his strength clearly fading.
I urgently said, "Don't fall asleep!"